Michael Carthew
@olton-mike.bsky.social
Lib Dem fighting against social and economic conservatism and other nonsense in power. Loves Musicals, Pokémon and self improvement 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Reposted by Michael Carthew
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
Reposted by Michael Carthew
I need to process that but I wanna give Viv and the whole team a huge round of applause!!! 👏
That whole finale was the sickest thing I’ve ever seen
That whole finale was the sickest thing I’ve ever seen
a crowd of people are sitting in a theatre applauding at an awards ceremony .
ALT: a crowd of people are sitting in a theatre applauding at an awards ceremony .
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I need to process that but I wanna give Viv and the whole team a huge round of applause!!! 👏
That whole finale was the sickest thing I’ve ever seen
That whole finale was the sickest thing I’ve ever seen
The problem with the Green party in a nutshell - they aren’t green.
The bold action for huge housing costs is to build more housing everywhere!
The bold action to reduce energy costs is to build more renewable energy everywhere!
Your party is making both of these more difficult and expensive by not looking at the science or thinking long term! You are blocking it!
The bold action to reduce energy costs is to build more renewable energy everywhere!
Your party is making both of these more difficult and expensive by not looking at the science or thinking long term! You are blocking it!
November 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The problem with the Green party in a nutshell - they aren’t green.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Sent in by a Birmingham supporter…
“my 13 year old son is autistic and not a big fan of football he agreed to come the blues with me on Saturday (his first football match). It was the best day of my life.”
Love this… 💙👏#KRO #BCFC pic.twitter.com/EeX4zLeFs1
“my 13 year old son is autistic and not a big fan of football he agreed to come the blues with me on Saturday (his first football match). It was the best day of my life.”
Love this… 💙👏#KRO #BCFC pic.twitter.com/EeX4zLeFs1
November 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Sent in by a Birmingham supporter…
“my 13 year old son is autistic and not a big fan of football he agreed to come the blues with me on Saturday (his first football match). It was the best day of my life.”
Love this… 💙👏#KRO #BCFC pic.twitter.com/EeX4zLeFs1
“my 13 year old son is autistic and not a big fan of football he agreed to come the blues with me on Saturday (his first football match). It was the best day of my life.”
Love this… 💙👏#KRO #BCFC pic.twitter.com/EeX4zLeFs1
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Once again proving every criticism that the Labour Right had against the Labour Left was correct while the reverse is also being proved by the Labour Right in government
Thought for a minute that Your Party might make it through a month without people at the top of it throwing around more threats to sue each other but clearly not. Embarrassing, amateur, incompetent & delusional waste of time.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Your Party to launch legal action against three of its ‘rogue’ founders, sources say
Exclusive: Leftwing party seeks to recover donations and data from company run by Andrew Feinstein, Jamie Driscoll and Beth Winter
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Once again proving every criticism that the Labour Right had against the Labour Left was correct while the reverse is also being proved by the Labour Right in government
Very proud to have helped Philip Mills become a councillor in Moseley alongside the amazing @izzyknowles.bsky.social! They’ll make a great team I’m sure.
Moseley (Birmingham) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 34.7% (-11.9)
🌹 LAB: 24.4% (-14.1)
🙋 Ind: 19.6% (New)
🌍 GRN: 10.1% (+1.5)
➡️ RFM: 7.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 2.4% (-4.1)
🙋 Ind: 1.7% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2022.
🔶 LDM: 34.7% (-11.9)
🌹 LAB: 24.4% (-14.1)
🙋 Ind: 19.6% (New)
🌍 GRN: 10.1% (+1.5)
➡️ RFM: 7.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 2.4% (-4.1)
🙋 Ind: 1.7% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2022.
October 24, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Very proud to have helped Philip Mills become a councillor in Moseley alongside the amazing @izzyknowles.bsky.social! They’ll make a great team I’m sure.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Camberley West (Surrey) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 49.5% (+16.6)
➡️ RFM: 25.9% (New)
🌳 CON: 20.4% (-28.8)
🌹 LAB: 4.3% (-11.4)
No WPB (-2.3) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2021.
🔶 LDM: 49.5% (+16.6)
➡️ RFM: 25.9% (New)
🌳 CON: 20.4% (-28.8)
🌹 LAB: 4.3% (-11.4)
No WPB (-2.3) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2021.
October 17, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Camberley West (Surrey) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 49.5% (+16.6)
➡️ RFM: 25.9% (New)
🌳 CON: 20.4% (-28.8)
🌹 LAB: 4.3% (-11.4)
No WPB (-2.3) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2021.
🔶 LDM: 49.5% (+16.6)
➡️ RFM: 25.9% (New)
🌳 CON: 20.4% (-28.8)
🌹 LAB: 4.3% (-11.4)
No WPB (-2.3) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2021.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Guildford South East (Surrey) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 41.3% (+18.0)
🌳 CON: 22.8% (-8.1)
🏘️ RGV: 16.3% (-21.4)
➡️ RFM: 12.0% (New)
🌍 GRN: 5.0% (New)
🌹 LAB: 2.6% (-5.6)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Localist.
Changes w/ 2021.
🔶 LDM: 41.3% (+18.0)
🌳 CON: 22.8% (-8.1)
🏘️ RGV: 16.3% (-21.4)
➡️ RFM: 12.0% (New)
🌍 GRN: 5.0% (New)
🌹 LAB: 2.6% (-5.6)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Localist.
Changes w/ 2021.
October 17, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Guildford South East (Surrey) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 41.3% (+18.0)
🌳 CON: 22.8% (-8.1)
🏘️ RGV: 16.3% (-21.4)
➡️ RFM: 12.0% (New)
🌍 GRN: 5.0% (New)
🌹 LAB: 2.6% (-5.6)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Localist.
Changes w/ 2021.
🔶 LDM: 41.3% (+18.0)
🌳 CON: 22.8% (-8.1)
🏘️ RGV: 16.3% (-21.4)
➡️ RFM: 12.0% (New)
🌍 GRN: 5.0% (New)
🌹 LAB: 2.6% (-5.6)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Localist.
Changes w/ 2021.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Camberley West-Surrey
LD GAIN from Con
LD (Alan Ashbery): 1,617 (49.5%, +16.6%)
RFM: 845 (25.9%, New)
Con: 666 (20.4%, -28.8%)
LAB: 140 (4.3%, -11.4%)
Well done to Cllr Alan Ashbery and the Liberal Democrat team!
LD GAIN from Con
LD (Alan Ashbery): 1,617 (49.5%, +16.6%)
RFM: 845 (25.9%, New)
Con: 666 (20.4%, -28.8%)
LAB: 140 (4.3%, -11.4%)
Well done to Cllr Alan Ashbery and the Liberal Democrat team!
October 17, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Camberley West-Surrey
LD GAIN from Con
LD (Alan Ashbery): 1,617 (49.5%, +16.6%)
RFM: 845 (25.9%, New)
Con: 666 (20.4%, -28.8%)
LAB: 140 (4.3%, -11.4%)
Well done to Cllr Alan Ashbery and the Liberal Democrat team!
LD GAIN from Con
LD (Alan Ashbery): 1,617 (49.5%, +16.6%)
RFM: 845 (25.9%, New)
Con: 666 (20.4%, -28.8%)
LAB: 140 (4.3%, -11.4%)
Well done to Cllr Alan Ashbery and the Liberal Democrat team!
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Guildford South East-Surrey
LD GAIN from RGV
LD (Catherine Houston): 1,426 (41.3%, +18.0%)
Con: 788 (22.8%, -8.1%)
RGV: 565 (16.3%, -21.4%)
RFM: 416 (12.0%, New)
GRN: 172 (5.0%, New)
LAB: 89 (2.6%, -5.6%)
Well done to Cllr Catherine Houston and the Liberal Democrat team!
LD GAIN from RGV
LD (Catherine Houston): 1,426 (41.3%, +18.0%)
Con: 788 (22.8%, -8.1%)
RGV: 565 (16.3%, -21.4%)
RFM: 416 (12.0%, New)
GRN: 172 (5.0%, New)
LAB: 89 (2.6%, -5.6%)
Well done to Cllr Catherine Houston and the Liberal Democrat team!
October 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Guildford South East-Surrey
LD GAIN from RGV
LD (Catherine Houston): 1,426 (41.3%, +18.0%)
Con: 788 (22.8%, -8.1%)
RGV: 565 (16.3%, -21.4%)
RFM: 416 (12.0%, New)
GRN: 172 (5.0%, New)
LAB: 89 (2.6%, -5.6%)
Well done to Cllr Catherine Houston and the Liberal Democrat team!
LD GAIN from RGV
LD (Catherine Houston): 1,426 (41.3%, +18.0%)
Con: 788 (22.8%, -8.1%)
RGV: 565 (16.3%, -21.4%)
RFM: 416 (12.0%, New)
GRN: 172 (5.0%, New)
LAB: 89 (2.6%, -5.6%)
Well done to Cllr Catherine Houston and the Liberal Democrat team!
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Staines-Spelthorne
LD GAIN from GRN
LD (Laura Barker): 804 (38.0%, New)
RFM: 499 (23.6%, +21.6%)
IND: 261 (12.3%, New)
Con: 231 (10.9%, -21.9%)
GRN: 163 (7.7%, -36.3%)
LAB: 158 (7.5%, New)
Well done to Cllr Laura Barker and the Liberal Democrat team!
LD GAIN from GRN
LD (Laura Barker): 804 (38.0%, New)
RFM: 499 (23.6%, +21.6%)
IND: 261 (12.3%, New)
Con: 231 (10.9%, -21.9%)
GRN: 163 (7.7%, -36.3%)
LAB: 158 (7.5%, New)
Well done to Cllr Laura Barker and the Liberal Democrat team!
October 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Staines-Spelthorne
LD GAIN from GRN
LD (Laura Barker): 804 (38.0%, New)
RFM: 499 (23.6%, +21.6%)
IND: 261 (12.3%, New)
Con: 231 (10.9%, -21.9%)
GRN: 163 (7.7%, -36.3%)
LAB: 158 (7.5%, New)
Well done to Cllr Laura Barker and the Liberal Democrat team!
LD GAIN from GRN
LD (Laura Barker): 804 (38.0%, New)
RFM: 499 (23.6%, +21.6%)
IND: 261 (12.3%, New)
Con: 231 (10.9%, -21.9%)
GRN: 163 (7.7%, -36.3%)
LAB: 158 (7.5%, New)
Well done to Cllr Laura Barker and the Liberal Democrat team!
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Staines (Spelthorne) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 37.9% (New)
➡️ RFM: 23.5% (New)
🙋 Ind: 12.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 10.9% (-4.7)
🌍 GRN: 7.7% (-27.8)
🌹 LAB: 7.4% (-17.1)
🧑🔧 TUSC: 0.4% (New)
No Ind (-27.4) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Green.
Changes w/ 2023.
🔶 LDM: 37.9% (New)
➡️ RFM: 23.5% (New)
🙋 Ind: 12.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 10.9% (-4.7)
🌍 GRN: 7.7% (-27.8)
🌹 LAB: 7.4% (-17.1)
🧑🔧 TUSC: 0.4% (New)
No Ind (-27.4) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Green.
Changes w/ 2023.
October 16, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Staines (Spelthorne) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 37.9% (New)
➡️ RFM: 23.5% (New)
🙋 Ind: 12.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 10.9% (-4.7)
🌍 GRN: 7.7% (-27.8)
🌹 LAB: 7.4% (-17.1)
🧑🔧 TUSC: 0.4% (New)
No Ind (-27.4) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Green.
Changes w/ 2023.
🔶 LDM: 37.9% (New)
➡️ RFM: 23.5% (New)
🙋 Ind: 12.3% (New)
🌳 CON: 10.9% (-4.7)
🌍 GRN: 7.7% (-27.8)
🌹 LAB: 7.4% (-17.1)
🧑🔧 TUSC: 0.4% (New)
No Ind (-27.4) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Green.
Changes w/ 2023.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Ashton (Preston) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 37.3% (+15.8)
➡️ RFM: 25.9% (New)
🌹 LAB: 24.3% (-34.6)
🙋 Ind: 5.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 3.5% (-16.3)
🙋 Ind: 3.4% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
🔶 LDM: 37.3% (+15.8)
➡️ RFM: 25.9% (New)
🌹 LAB: 24.3% (-34.6)
🙋 Ind: 5.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 3.5% (-16.3)
🙋 Ind: 3.4% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
October 16, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Ashton (Preston) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 37.3% (+15.8)
➡️ RFM: 25.9% (New)
🌹 LAB: 24.3% (-34.6)
🙋 Ind: 5.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 3.5% (-16.3)
🙋 Ind: 3.4% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
🔶 LDM: 37.3% (+15.8)
➡️ RFM: 25.9% (New)
🌹 LAB: 24.3% (-34.6)
🙋 Ind: 5.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 3.5% (-16.3)
🙋 Ind: 3.4% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Ashton-Preston
LD GAIN from LAB
LD (Ronan Hodgson): 659 (35.5%, +14.0%)
RFM: 548 (29.5%, New)
LAB: 429 (23.1%, -35.7%)
IND: 101 (5.4%, New)
Con: 61 (3.3%, -16.4%)
IND: 60 (3.2%, New)
Well done to Cllr Ronan Hodgson and the Liberal Democrat team!
LD GAIN from LAB
LD (Ronan Hodgson): 659 (35.5%, +14.0%)
RFM: 548 (29.5%, New)
LAB: 429 (23.1%, -35.7%)
IND: 101 (5.4%, New)
Con: 61 (3.3%, -16.4%)
IND: 60 (3.2%, New)
Well done to Cllr Ronan Hodgson and the Liberal Democrat team!
October 16, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Ashton-Preston
LD GAIN from LAB
LD (Ronan Hodgson): 659 (35.5%, +14.0%)
RFM: 548 (29.5%, New)
LAB: 429 (23.1%, -35.7%)
IND: 101 (5.4%, New)
Con: 61 (3.3%, -16.4%)
IND: 60 (3.2%, New)
Well done to Cllr Ronan Hodgson and the Liberal Democrat team!
LD GAIN from LAB
LD (Ronan Hodgson): 659 (35.5%, +14.0%)
RFM: 548 (29.5%, New)
LAB: 429 (23.1%, -35.7%)
IND: 101 (5.4%, New)
Con: 61 (3.3%, -16.4%)
IND: 60 (3.2%, New)
Well done to Cllr Ronan Hodgson and the Liberal Democrat team!
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
Cardiff set to tackle SUV 'carspreading' in UK first
Cardiff Council is set to become the first local authority in the UK to introduce higher parking charges for SUVs and other heavy vehicles, in a move campaigners say will make city streets safer and f...
nation.cymru
October 16, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
Reposted by Michael Carthew
UK's Labour Party abandoned transgender people. The gambit to pursue rightwing voters by abandoning a targeted minority failed, and now they're facing the prospect of a historic loss.
US Dems could learn a lot from their failure.
Great piece from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
US Dems could learn a lot from their failure.
Great piece from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
UK's Labour Party Abandoned Trans People. Here's What American Dems Can Learn.
Democrats: There is no “middle ground” on equal rights. Take it from UK Labour.
www.erininthemorning.com
September 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM
UK's Labour Party abandoned transgender people. The gambit to pursue rightwing voters by abandoning a targeted minority failed, and now they're facing the prospect of a historic loss.
US Dems could learn a lot from their failure.
Great piece from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
US Dems could learn a lot from their failure.
Great piece from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Interesting that every time we discuss women's rights at Lib Dem Conference the group that claims to care so deeply about "the rights of women and girls" is completely and utterly absent.
September 23, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Interesting that every time we discuss women's rights at Lib Dem Conference the group that claims to care so deeply about "the rights of women and girls" is completely and utterly absent.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Pause your doomscrolling and listen to this story.
September 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Pause your doomscrolling and listen to this story.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
“ He’s MLK……But don’t quote him.” The truly bizarre people who are so desperate for heroes, so impoverished of leaders with integrity and goodness, so without boundaries that they are continuously manufacturing fantasies of their own nobility…..It would be just pitiable if it wasn’t so dangerous.
September 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
“ He’s MLK……But don’t quote him.” The truly bizarre people who are so desperate for heroes, so impoverished of leaders with integrity and goodness, so without boundaries that they are continuously manufacturing fantasies of their own nobility…..It would be just pitiable if it wasn’t so dangerous.
WOOHOOOOOOO!!!! 😁🥳
The Liberal Democrats have gained Talbot and Branksome Woods on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole UA from the Conservatives.
🔶 Liberal Democrat, Dawn Logan: 910, 32.4%
➡️ Reform: 791, 28.2%
🔵 Conservative: 770, 27.4%
🔴 Labour: 170, 6.1%
🟢 Green: 165, 5.9%
Well done to Dawn and the whole team 🔶
🔶 Liberal Democrat, Dawn Logan: 910, 32.4%
➡️ Reform: 791, 28.2%
🔵 Conservative: 770, 27.4%
🔴 Labour: 170, 6.1%
🟢 Green: 165, 5.9%
Well done to Dawn and the whole team 🔶
September 12, 2025 at 11:42 AM
WOOHOOOOOOO!!!! 😁🥳
Reposted by Michael Carthew
The baffling thing about Starmer's Labour Party is it didn't have to be like this. A bulletproof majority, guaranteed power for five years - and they chase Linehan and Farage.
They could have actually done some good.
They could have actually done some good.
September 3, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The baffling thing about Starmer's Labour Party is it didn't have to be like this. A bulletproof majority, guaranteed power for five years - and they chase Linehan and Farage.
They could have actually done some good.
They could have actually done some good.
Reposted by Michael Carthew
Reform UK, the right leaning think tank Policy Exchange, and some Labour grandees, are all pushing for us to either leave the ECHR, or disapply parts of it temporarily or permanently.
This puts me, you and everyone at risk, not just those seeking sanctuary.
This puts me, you and everyone at risk, not just those seeking sanctuary.
September 1, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Reform UK, the right leaning think tank Policy Exchange, and some Labour grandees, are all pushing for us to either leave the ECHR, or disapply parts of it temporarily or permanently.
This puts me, you and everyone at risk, not just those seeking sanctuary.
This puts me, you and everyone at risk, not just those seeking sanctuary.
I was and still am absolutely furious about this. Conservatives are all about short term gain for long term pain and shouldn’t ever be trusted with power in any society that wants to improve and make progress.
Rishi Sunak I will never forgive you for HS2. Disgrace of a prime minister
August 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I was and still am absolutely furious about this. Conservatives are all about short term gain for long term pain and shouldn’t ever be trusted with power in any society that wants to improve and make progress.
Solihull residents need answers and a plan to deal with the problems the council faces.
Local government funding is in crisis and that includes my own authority, Solihull Council.
This path is not sustainable. We need to know how the Conservatives plan to turn this ship around.
This path is not sustainable. We need to know how the Conservatives plan to turn this ship around.
August 26, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Solihull residents need answers and a plan to deal with the problems the council faces.